71From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, [15 July 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
I have considered the articles of War & rather think the case is not provided for by them. I incline to the opinion that The President ex officio as Commander in Chief has power to order a General Court Martial. But the exercise of this power would be liable to too much question & Criticism to be expedient. What then is to be done? The President has a right to dis⟨miss⟩ Military Officers as...
72From George Washington to James McHenry, 18 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 10th, 12th and 13th instant, with their enclosures, came all by the last Mail to Alexandria; and were received by me on Saturday morning. The contents of such parts as require it, shall be noticed. The greatest, and what appears to me to be an insuperable difficulty in the way of running and marking the boundary line between the United States and the Cherokee tribe of...
73From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
(private) Your private letter of the 16 came to my hands at the same time that your official one did of the 18th. From what is there said it appears by the enclosures, I am satisfied no unnecessary delay respecting the Algierine frigate has taken place. From a former one, & perhaps from a solicitude to execute promptly whatever is entrusted to me, I had conceived otherwise. As I have Mr Liston...
74From George Washington to James McHenry, 22 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 18th instant with its enclosures, came to hand by the last Mail. Such of the latter, as are original, I herewith return to your Office. It would appear from the extract of Mr Habersham’s letter, that the Treaty (or rather meeting) between the Georgians and Creek Indians, has terminated unfavourably; and will tend, it is to be feared, to hostilities. A favorable result could...
75From George Washington to James McHenry, 25 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from Mr Landais, transmitting one from you to him, was received by the last Post. Filling the vacancies in the Corps of Artillery, before the adjournment of the Senate, was suggested; but why, as it was not proposed by the military Act, that it should undergo any diminution, it was not done, my memory does not serve me. If there are more Cadets in that Regiment than Mr...
76From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
The Post of Friday last brought me your dispatches of the 26th Ulto, with the Papers therein enclosed. The draught of a letter to the Agent of the Department of War, and the Instructions for the person proposed as Deputy paymaster and Storekeeper in the State of Tennessee, are guarded, and proper. The only doubt remaining with me, is whether so many Officers, in that quarter, are realy...
77From George Washington to James McHenry, 8 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 3d instant, with the information of our possession of Fort Ontario (lately occupied by the Troops of Great Britain) and the correspondence between Captn Bruff of the United States Troops, and Captn Clarke of the British was brought to me by the last Post. Several matters are submitted by the former for consideration; among them, the mode of supplying the Garrison with fire...
78From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private Colo. Hawkins is now here, on his way to Philadelphia, & proposes to proceed in the S⟨ta⟩ge of tomorrow. He has related many matters, and read many papers relative to the Treaty with the Creek Indians; the conduct of the State Commissioners of ⟨Georgia; &ca &ca.⟩ But as this is not the regular way of bringing business, of this sort, before me; I have requested that he and Mr Clymer...
79From George Washington to James McHenry, 12 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
The originals and drafts of letters enclosed in yours of the 8th instt are herewith returned. The publication of the letters to and from Lieutt Colo. England was certainly improper: and the reprehension of Genl Wilkinson for doing it , or suffering it to be done , is just; and the manner in which it has been conveyed to him is delicate. The draught of the letter to Colo. Gaither, predicated on...
80From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Private The principles of the Enclosed Instructions I approve; and since they are drawn, I shall not object to the Phraseology; tho’ considering that it is Addressed to our agent, for his government part of them, I think is too much in the stile of a talk to the Indians. And I think too, as he is intended for the general Superintendent his attentions seems to be too much confined to the Creek...